Ingredients
- 4 chili peppers (dried red)
- 3 garlic (cloves)
- 3 scallions
- 1 egg (white)
- 1/2 bell pepper (red)
- 6 ounces shoulder steak
- 1/4 pound pencil asparagus tips (thin)
- 2 tablespoons ginger (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (thin)
- 5 teaspoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons shao hsing
- 2 teaspoons chinese dark vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon chinese sesame paste
- 1 teaspoon peanut oil (plus)
- 3/4 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoons salt
Slice steak into broad 1/8-inch thick strips, about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. In a small bowl combine steak strips with baking soda, crushed garlic cloves and 1/4 cup cold water. Mix well and soak 5 hours.
Rinse steak slices and dry well on paper towels. In a small bowl mix together egg white and salt, stirring vigorously until egg white foams. Stir in sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon peanut oil and cornstarch. Add steak and toss to coat. Marinate 1/2 hour at room temperature. In another small bowl, combine thin soy sauce, Shao Hsing, remaining 4 teaspoons sugar, vinegar, sesame oil and sesame paste; set aside.
In a wok heat remaining 4 cups peanut oil over high heat to 375 degrees. Drain beef, pat dry then deep-fry 45 seconds, turning pieces several times with a metal spoon. Using a slotted spoon, remove beef and drain on paper towels. When oil returns to 375 degrees, deep-fry 15 seconds more, remove beef, and drain. Repeat deep-frying, 15 seconds, a third time. Remove beef and drain on clean paper towels. When oil returns to 375 degrees, deep-fry asparagus and red bell pepper 30 seconds. Drain on paper towels.
Drain off all but 1 tablespoon oil from wok and increase heat to high. Add chili peppers, scallions, chopped garlic and chopped ginger; stir-fry 1 minute. Add asparagus and red pepper; stir-fry 10 seconds and add beef. Stir in soy sauce mixture, bring to a boil and serve immediately with rice.